Safety valve



W. E. FLOYD.'

SAFETY VALVE.

APPLlcATION FILED MAY 22. 1920.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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W. E. FLOYD.

SAFETY VALVE.

vIIJPLIc/IIIOII FILED MAY 22, 1920.

1,41 1,483. muted Apr. 4, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VVITNESS"- $511 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcE.

. WILLIAM E. FLOYD, BL'UEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 ABE WILLIAMS AND ONE-HALF T0 FRENCH ELBERT GODSEY AND CHARLES WILLIAM GODSEY, ALL 0F BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA.

SAFETY VALVE.

Application filed May 22,

To all lwhom z't may concern:

-Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. FLOYD, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Bluefield, in the county of Mercer and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Valves, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to improvements in safety valves such as are mounted in boiler connections to prevent the escape of the steam or hot-water should any of such connections be broken accidentally. For instance, a locomotive boiler is provided with many connections leading to gages, indicators, blow-ofs and the like. It often happens in the wreck of a locomotive that the boiler remains intact, but the connections are broken so that the steam and hot-water escape and scald the operatives. The object of the present invention is to provide a safety valve for such connections that will be closed by the fluid-pressure of the boiler should the connection be broken off accidentally.

The invention consists in the novel con struction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts,-

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View of a safety valve embodying the invention, showing it applied to the gage-cock of a locomotive boiler;

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing a plan of the safety valve;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views on the line 3-3 and 44, respectively, of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the safety valve mounted in a blowoff connection;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig, 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the safety valve mounted in an lindicator connection.

4'to 4, screwed into the wall l of a locomotive Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

1920.v Serial No. 383,339.

boiler is the threaded bushing 2 provided with a flange 3 shaped at its edge to be engaged by a suitable' turning wrench. When the bushing is in position, this .flange bears against the side of the wall. The bushing forms a valve-casing and' extending through the same is an axial bore 4 enlarged at its ends to form the chambers 5 and 6. Within the inner chamber 5 is the valve 7 of less diameter than that of the chamber so that fluid entering the chamber can pass around the valve. The outer flush face of the valve has an extensive area exposed to the direct action of the fluid-pressure entering the chamber 5 from the boiler and there would be a quick and positive closing of the valve on its seat should the fluid-pressure be permitted to act. The inner face of the valve is conically shaped to register with a similarly shaped seat at the inner end of the reducedportion of the bore 4. The valve is guided to and from its seat by its cylindrical stem 8 entering the bore 4. This cy lindrical stem 8 has considerable diameter and has a close sliding fit in the bore 4 so as to provide a substantial support and an accurate guide for the valve as the latter moves to and from its seat. To prevent accidental dislodgment of the valve from the chamber 5, a plug 9 is screwed into the chamber and is provided with an inlet 10 of considera-ble cross area to admit freely the fluid from the boiler into the chamber. In the valve-stem 8 and extending the length of the same are the spiral grooves 11 forming passages through the b ore 4 from the chamber 5 to the chamber 6. The stem is reduced in diameter adjacent to the valve, as at 12, to form a clearance to the ends of the spiral grooves. While the grooves 11 are preferably formed in the wall of the stem 8, yet it is obvious that they could be formed in the wall 'of the valve-casing to form passages between the chambers 5 and 6.

The pressure of the fluid entering the inner chamber 5 from the boiler tends to close the valve 7 on its seat, but if the valve is held away from its seat by mechanism hereinafter described, the fluid passes around the valve and through the spiral grooves 11 into the outer chamber 6. In passing through the spiral grooves, the pressure of the fluid rotates the valve and this action prevents sediment from settling in the chamber 5 and the grooves to clog the action of the valve. It is to be observed that the bushing or casing 2, except the flanged outer end, and the valve mechanism carrled by such casing are entirely contained within the wall of the boiler. Consequently, so long as the integrityof the boiler is maintained, such valve mechanism cannot be injured by a wreck and the valve can function to close the bore of its casing.

The wall of the outer chamber 6 in the bushing 2 is screw-threaded and into the same is turned the threaded end of the tubular housing 13, with its bore in axial alinement with the bore of the bushing. The bore at the inner end of the housing is suiciently large to receive the .valve-stem 8 when the latter is moved outwardly. On the inner end of the housingl is a flange 14 shaped to be engaged by a tool for turning the housing into and out of the bushing. On the outer end of the housing is screwed the bonnet 15 with its threaded bore in axial alinement with the bore of the housing. Passingthrough the bore of the bonnet and in threaded engagement with the same is the spindle'l provided with a hand-wheel for turning the spindle. Clamped between the bonnet and the end of the tubular housing is a packing 17 to prevent leakage past the spindle. .The spindle extends into the bore of the housing and its conical inner end forms a valve 18 to register with a seat 19 when the spindle is turned inwardly. Fixed to the inner end of the spindle is the fiat rod 20 extending through the bore of the housing and having a bearing in a socket in the outer end of the valve-stem 8. This bearing between the rod and valve-stem permits relatively angular movement between the two members. `When the spindle is ro- .turned into the tubular housing 13 to close the valve 18 onto its seat 19, the rod 20 is moved inwardly and, through its engagement-with the stem 8, the valve 7 is moved away from its seat against the action of the' fluid-pressure in the boiler to the position shown in Fig. 1, which shows the several parts in their normal relative positions.

In the tubular housing 13 is the chamber 21 formed by` an enlargement of the bore of the housing just outside of the valve-seat 19. The wall of the housing enclosing the chamber 21 is thickened and extending through the same is a plurality ot' threaded openings 22 extending radially from the chamber. Turned into one of these openings is the gage-cock 23 communicating with the chamber 21, and the other openings are closed by the threaded plugs 24 (Fig. 4). The purpose of the gage-cock is to permlt the engineer to try his boiler. In mounting such gage-cock it is required that they discharge downward for obvious reasons. In assembling the parts, when the tubular housing 13 is screwed home, or nearly so,

positioned during the assembling of the parts, at least one of the openings 22 closed by the screw-plugs will be in such a position that little or no further turning of the housing would be required to direct such opening in a downward direction. By removing the plug from this opening and inserting the gage-cock, the proper position of the latter can be secured without any injurious turning of the housing in the bushing. The displaced plug is inserted in opening formerly occupied by the gage-cock.

Vhen the `engineer desires to try his boiler, he turns the spindle 16 to unseat the valve 18, should the latter be closed, to open the chamber 21 to the bore of the housing leading from the boiler. The outward movement of the spindle to unseat the valve 18 is not sufficient to permit the seating of the valve 7 by the fluid-pressure from the boiler. With the several parts so adjusted, communication from the boiler to the chamber 21 is established through the plug 9, the chamber 5, the spiral grooves 11 1n the'valvestem 8, the chamber 6, and the bore of the tubular housing 13 into said chamber 21. By opening the gage-cock 23, closed previously to the unseating of the valve 18, the engineer can try the boiler. With the gagecock in good condition and normally closed, the valve 18 may be left unseated so that the engineer can try the boiler at any time by simply opening the gage-cock.

By constant use, accidental blows of tools and other rough usage, the gage-cock 23 becomes worn or broken so as to leak and frequent replacement is necessary. This is readily accomplished by closing the valve 18 onto its seat to cut off communication between the boiler and the chamber 21. With close the bore of the housing so that thev bonnet can be unscrewed and the packing renewed.

In its normal position, the main valve 7 is held unseated by the adjustment of the spindle 16 and the intermediate parts.

Should the tubular housing 13 be vbrokenof .through any cause, the severed partand carry with it the rod 20.

would dro dj free the valve 7 to be closed by This woul the iiuid-pressure from the boiler and the the rod or-valvestem and the seating ofl the valve prevented. Furthermore, with the weakened wall of the housing, when the break occurs, there will be no excessive straining of the threaded engagement of the housing with the bushing as .to distort the threads and prevent a ready removal of the inner end of the broken housing from the bushing for replacement by a new housing. As the outer end of the bushing is practically flush with the outer face of the boiler wall, the bushing is protected against injury so long as the boiler wall remains intact.

In Fig. 5 of the'drawings, the safety valve is shown mounted in the connection between a boiler and a blow-off for discharging the sediment collected in the lower part of the boiler. In this instance, the construction of the valve proper is the same as in the first instance. In the second instance, however, the spindle and the mechanism connected with the spindle are omitted. The tubular housing 13 has a shoulder 2G against which is normally seated the cylindrical element 27 having in its periphery spiral grooves 28 to form passages through the bore of the housing past said element. Fast in the inner end of element is an end of the rod 29, the other end of whichfhas a bearing in a socket in the outer end of the stem 8 of the valve 7, as in the first instance. With the parts assembled, the element 27 bears against the shoulder 26 and, through the rod 29 and stem 8, prevents the seating of the valve 7. Should the housing be broken off at the groove 25, the element 27 would be displaced and free the valve 7 so that the latter would be seated by the fluid-pressure from the boiler and the escape of the steam and hotwater would be prevented. The mechanism controlling the blow-off is mounted in the casing 30 and is of well-known construction. As the operation of the blow-off does not aect the action of the safety valve in any way, it need not be described. In the wall of the bushing 2 at its inner end are several additional openings 31 to admit the sediment and liquid under pressure. As the fluid-pressure passes through the grooves 28 in the element 27, the latter Vis rotated to prevent clogging.

In Fig; 7 of the drawings, the safety valve is shown mounted in a connection leading to an indicator-(not shown), such as a pressure-gage. The construction of the valve mechanism is the same as shown in Fig. 5.

lVhat is claimed is 1. In a safety valve for steam boilers, the combination of a bushing adapted to be inserted in the wall of the boiler and pro- Aject into the interior of the latter to form a valve-casing containedy within the boiler, said valve-casing having an axial bore enlarged at its opposite ends to form chambers,.with the inner chamber having a large opening vinto the boiler at its inner end and having a valveseat at its outer end, a valve in the inner chamber having a face of eX- tensive area exposed to the action of fluidpressure entering said chamber directly from the boiler through the large opening leading into said chamber, said valve being adaptedwhen released to be seated on said valve-seat by the fluid-pressure acting on its face, a cylindrical stem on the valve having a close sliding fit in the reduced bore of the Valve-casing to guide accurately the valve to and from its seat, said stem being contained entirely within the valve-casing and having a passage between its wall and the wall of the valve casing to form a communication between the two chambers when the valve is open, a tubular. housing having chamber of the valve-casing, and means carried by the tubular housing detachably engaging the outer end of the valve-stem and normally operating to hold the valve off its seat, said means operating to release the valve to the closing action of the fluid-pres* sure from the boiler should the tubular housingl be broken oif.

2. In a safety valve for steam boilers, the combinaton of'a bushing adapted to be inserted in the wall of the boiler` and project into the interior of the latter to form a valve-casing contained within the boiler, said valve-casing having an axial bore enlarged at its opposite ends to form chambers, with the inner chamber having a large opening into the boiler at its inner end and having a valve-seat at its outer end, a valve in the inner chamber having a face of extensive area exposed to the action of fluid pressure entering said chamber directly from the boiler through'the large opening va controlled outlet threaded into the outer leading into said chamber, said valve being adapted when released lto be seated on said valve-seat by the fluid-pressure acting on its face, a cylindrical stem on the valve having a close sliding tit in the reduced bore of the valve casing to guide accurately the valve to and from its seat, said stem being contained entirely within the valve-casing and having a passage between its wall and the wall of the valve-casing to form a communication between the two chambers when the valve is open, a tubular housing having a controlled outlet threaded into the outer chamber of the valve-casing, and an element carried in the bore ot the tubular housing detachably engaging the outer end of the valve-stem and normallyfoperating to hold thel valve off its seat, said element operating to release the valve to the closing action of the fluid-pressure from the boiler should the tubular housing be broken off.

3. In a safety valve for steam boilers, the combination of a bushing adapted to be inserted in the wall of the boiler and project into the interior of the latter to form a Valve-casing contained within the boiler, said valve-casing having an axial bore enlarged at its opposite'ends to form chambers, with the inner chamber having a large opening into the boiler at its inner end and having a valve-seat at its outer end, a valve in the inner chamber having a face of eX- tensive area exposed to the action of fluid' pressure entering said chamber directly from the boiler through the large opening leading into said chamber, said valve being adapted when released to be seated on said valve-seat by the fluid-pressure acting on its tace,` a` cylindrical stem on the valve having a close sliding it in the reduced bore of the valvecasing to guide accurately the valve to and from its seat, said stem being contained entirely within the valve-casing and having a' passage between its wall and the wall ot the Valve-casing to form a communication between the two chambers when the valve is open, a tubular housing having a controlled outlet threaded into the outer chamber of the valve-casing, and a spindle longitudinally adjustable in the bore of the tubular housing, said spindle having at its inner end an extension detachably engaging the inner end ofthe valve-stem and operating with an inward adjustment-of the spindle to hold the valve oil? its seat, said spindle freeing the valve-stem should the tubular housing be broken oil to release the valve to the closing action of fluid-pressure from the boiler.

j 4. In a safety valve for steam boilers, the combination of a bushing adapted tobe inserted in the wallof the boiler and project into the interior of the latter to form a valve-casing contained within the boiler, said valve-casing having an axial bore enlarged at its opposite ends to form chambers, with the inner chamber having a large opening into the boiler at its inner end and having a valve-seat at, its oute'r end, a. valve in the inner chamber having a face of extensive area exposed to the action of Huid-pressure entering said chamber directly from the boiler through the large opening leading into said chamber, said valve being adapted when released to be seated on said valve-seat by the fluidpressure acting on its face, a cylindrical stem on the valve having a close sliding fit in the reduced bore ot' the valve-casing to guide accurately the valve to and from its seat, said stem being conta-ined entirely within the valve-casing and having al passage between its wall and the wall of the valve casing to form a communication between the two chambers when the valve is open, a tubular housing having a controlled outlet threaded into the outer chamber of the valve-casing and having its wall weakened by an annular groove in its inner end adjacent to the connection between housing and the valve casing so that in the breaking of of the housing a clean fracture will occur at said annular groove, and means carried bythe outer end of the tubular housing to engage detachably the outer end of the valvestem and normally operating to hold the valve off its seat, said means operating to release the valve to the closing action of the fluid-pressure in'the boiler should the tubuin the inner chamber having a face of extensive area exposed to the action of {luidpressure enterlng said chamber directly from the boiler through the large opening leading into said chamber, said valve being adapted when released to be seated on said valve-seat by the fluid-pressure acting on its face, a cylindrical stem on the valve having a. close sliding fit in the reduced bore of the valve-casing to guide accurately the valve to and from. its seat, said stem being contained entirely within the valve-casing and having a passage between its wall and the wall of the valve casing to form a com- Inunication between the two chambers when the valve is open, a tubular-housing having a controlled outlet threaded into the outer chamber of the valve-casing, and a spindle screw -threaded in the outer end of' the housing to be adjusted longitudinally there' in, said spindle having at its inner end a attened extension detachably engaging the inner end of the valve-stem and operating with an inward adjustment of the spindle to hold the valve off its seat, said spindle freeing the valve-stem should the tubular housing be broken ofil to release the valve to the closing action of the fluid-pressure from the boiler, the flatness of said extension providing clearance in the bore of the tubular housing for the passage of the fluid to the controlled outlet and also operating when turned by the rotation of the spindle to4 clear sediment from the bore.

6. In a safety valve for steam'boilers, the combination of a. bushing adapted to be inserted in the Wall of the boiler and project into the interior of the latter to form a valve-casing contained within the boiler, said valve-casing having an axial bore enlarged at its opposite ends to form chambers, with the inner chamber having a large opening into the boiler at its inner end and having a valve-seat at its outer end, a valve in the inner chamber having a face of extensive area exposed to the action of fluidpressure entering said chamber directly from the boiler through the large opening leading into said chamber, said valve being adapted whenreleased to be seated on said valve-seat by the fluid-pressure acting on` its face, a cylindrical stem on the valve having a close sliding t in the reduced bore of the valve-casing to guide accurately the valve to and from its seat, said stem being contained entirely within the valve-casing and having a passage between its wall and the wall of the valve-casing to form a communication between the two chambers When the valve is open, a tubular housing threaded into the outer chamber of the valve-casing and having an outlet at its outer end, a removable 'cock controlling said outlet, and a spindle longitudinally adjustable in the bore of the housing having a valve at its inner end to register with a seat in the outer end of the housing to control the communication through the housing to the controlled outlet, said spindle having at its inner end an extension detachably engaging the inner end of the bushing and operating with an inward adjustment of the spindle to hold the valve in the bushingoi'l its seat, said spindle by its inward movement also operating to close the valve in the outer end of the housing to permit the renewal of the cock controllin the outlet of the housing.

Ih testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM E. FLOYD.

valve-stem of the valve in the 

